19 August Exodus 19

Prepare yourself to meet God

When we look at this passage, we see three main events. God views His people. God validates His People. God visits His People.

God views His people.

God promises a covenant relationship with His people. The covenant is God’s relationship of friendship that He establishes with His people. And in this covenant, He promises that He views His people as His treasured possession, as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Exodus 19:4-6 (NIV) ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

This also is confirmed for the believer in 1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP) “You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honour and glorify God with your body”. Furthermore the New Testament comparison is added in 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) “But you are a chosen race, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”.

God validates His people

Exodus 19:10-15 (NIV) And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.” 14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”

Wash your garments. Be ready for the third day. Stay away from the Mountain. Don’t touch him who touches the mountain! Abstain from sexual relations. This passage explains that the requirement of temporary abstinence is to focus one's mind on God, similar to how fasting prepares one and focuses one on the Lord.

God visits His people

Exodus 19:20 (AMP)”The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. As God came down from heaven to the mountain, Christ came down to do God’s will”.

John 6:38-40 (AMP) “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but that I [give new life and] raise it up at the last day. For this is My Father’s will and purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him [as Savior] will have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”

God comes down despite the people sinning against him, and Christ comes down despite us sinning against him. First, God came down on Mt. Sinai, bringing the law, and then in Jesus Christ, He came down, bringing the grace that fulfilled His covenant with His people.

If the people of God had to consecrate themselves to the Lord in God’s coming at Mt. Sinai, even more so, we should consecrate ourselves to God, when we prepare to meet Him.